Electronic counter memory means for sorting systems

ABSTRACT

A memory means for a sorting system which includes conveyors which have separate article carrying means of the type having mechanisms for discharging articles when the article carrying means reach predetermined locations along the path of conveyor movement. The memory means comprise electronic counters operated in conjunction with the conveyor movement. The counters are connected to discharge mechanisms associated with the respective discharge locations situated adjacent the conveyor. Each counter is designed to operate the discharge mechanisms when a code unique to that counter is applied at a coding station and after the conveyor has moved a specified distance. Each counter has a plurality of terminals which may be alternatively selected to thereby vary the discharge position by distance increments.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Leo A. Gary Chicago, Ill. [21] Appl.No. 3,930 [22] Filed Jan. 19, 1970 [45] Patented Feb. 16, 1971 [73]Assignee The Spra-Con Company Chicago, Ill.

[54] ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEMORY MEANS FOR SORTING SYSTEMS 10 Claims, 6Drawing Figs.

[52] US Cl. 214/11, 198/38 [51] Int. Cl B65g 43/00 [50] Field ofSear-ch198/38; 214/11 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,033,3665/1962 Atanasoffet al 209/82 3,049,246 8/1962 Bishop 214/1 1 3,140,7677/1964 l-Iauer.... 198/1 3,141,540 7/1964 Burkhardt 198/38 3,152,68110/1964 Byrnes et al. 198/38 3,181,712 5/1965 Abbcetal... 214/113,384,237 5/1968 Leonard 209/122 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. F orlenzaAssistant Examiner-Raymond B. Johnson Attorney-McDougall, Hersh, Scott &Ladd ABSTRACT: A memory means for a sorting system which includesconveyors which have separate article carrying means of the type havingmechanisms for discharging articles when the article carrying meansreach predetermined locations along the path of conveyor movement. Thememory means comprise electronic counters operated in conjunction withthe conveyor movement. The counters are connected to dischargemechanisms associated with the respective discharge locations situatedadjacent the conveyor. Each counter is designed to operate the dischargemechanisms when a code unique to that counter is applied at a codingstation and after the conveyor has moved a specified distance. Eachcounter has a plurality of terminals which may be alternatively selectedto thereby vary the discharge position by distance increments.

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mkmzmo INVENTOI? gab; Offys ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEMORY MEANS FOR SORTINGSYSTEMS This invention relates to a memory means designed for use inconjunction with sorting systems employing conveyors adapted to carryarticles and to discharge the articles at preselected locations alongthe conveyor path.

Memory systems have previously been devised for operation in conjunctionwith conveyors. A description of a memory system if found, for example,in Harrison et al. US. Pat. No. 3,167,192. This system involves the useof a memory timer employing a series of balls which may be successivelydropped into a channel in response to successive operations of asolenoid which is controlled by keys on a selector board. The halls canthen be subjected to a stepping operation with the movement of the ballsbeing controlled in phase with the movement of individual conveyortrays. The actuation of tripping means for a particular tray will dependupon the number of balls inserted in the channel since the balls willserve as contacts in a circuit including a solenoid. Speaker U.S. Pat.No. 3,034,665 also discloses a memory system used for tripping conveyormeans.

In copending application Ser. No. 776,074, filed on Nov. 15, 1968, andentitled Memory System For Conveyors, now Pat. No. 3,482,260, issued onDec. 2, 1969 there is described a memory means which is greatlysimplified when compared with prior devices and which is compact andrelatively simple .in construction so that installation and maintenancecan be carried out on an efficient basis. The system includes a memorywheel which is synchronized for movement with the conveyor. A magneticwriting head applies a code to the wheel when an article is loaded onthe conveyor, and a plurality of reading heads are located in spacedrelationship relative to the writing head. The writing head and readingheads are associated with electronic counters, and the system issynchronized so that the code for a particular reading head will reachthat head at the same time that the conveyor reaches a dischargelocation assigned to the reading head. Circuit elements operatedischarge means for the discharge location in response to reading of thecode by the reading head.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a memory systemwhich improves upon the system described in said application and whichprovides ideal means for controlling the discharge of articles fromindividual conveyors, for example conveyors of the type employed insystems described in the aforementioned patents.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a memorysystem which is simple in construction and compact .so that only a smallamount of space is required for installation of the system, which ischaracterized by a relatively simple operating principle, and whichincludes relatively simple operating parts so that unduly complicatedoperating and maintenance problems will not develop.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a memorysystem which is simple in construction and compact so that only a smallamount of space is required for installation of the system, which ischaracterized by a relatively simple operating principle, and whichincludes relatively simple operating parts so that unduly complicatedoperating and maintenance problems will not develop.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide memory meanswhich provide circuit elements individually associated with a pluralityof discharge locations along a conveyor path, each of the circuitelements being individually adjustable whereby the exact point ofdischarge at a particular location can be easily adjusted independentlyof each of the other discharge locations.

These other object of this invention will appear hereinafter and forpurposes of illustration, butnot of limitation, a specific embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of circuit elements and conveyormeans utilized in the system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of coding means employed in theconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of connections for dischargeactuating mechanisms;

FIG. 4 is a table indicating terminal connections and distances forvarious discharge points;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for a read output module; and

FIG. 6 illustrates synchronizing means employed at a loading station.

The memory means of this invention is associated with a sorting systemwhich includes a plurality of spaced apart article carrying means havingconveying devices associated therewith. A loading station is providedfor depositing articles on the article carrying means, and a'pluralityof discharge locations are positioned along the path of conveyormovement.

Memory means of the type including a coding device which operates whenan article is deposited on a conveyor are provided. The memory means isassociated with a discharge device, for example a solenoid operatedtripper for a conveyor tray, and the memory means operates so that thedischarge device will be actuated when the conveyor carries an articleto a discharge station related to the code applied to the memory means.

In accordance with this invention, the memory means comprises individualelectronic counters associated with each discharge location. Eachcounter is provided with a plurality of terminal means, and actuatingmeans for the discharge device are connected to selected terminals.Pulse generating means are connected to each of the electronic counters,and when a code assigned to a particular counter is introduced to thecounter, the counter becomes receptive to pulses. The pulses areintroduced at a rate related to the conveyor speed. Accordingly, when asufficient number of pulses has been introduced, the counter willoperate the discharge device for that station, and the article depositedand assigned to that station will be removed from the conveyor.

An operator may be employed for applying codes each time an article islocated on a conveyor. For example, a keyboard may be positioned at aloading station, and a particular electronic counter will be madereceptive to pulses depending upon the keys actuated. The system of thisinvention is, however, highly suited for an automated sorting operationwherein a code is displayed on a package or other article, and isadapted to be read by computer equipment. The code can then be feddirectly to the counters.

By providing a system which includes counters having a plurality ofseparate terminals which can be connected in various ways to dischargemeans, the specific point of discharge at a particular dischargelocation can be readily adjusted. Thus, the number of pulses required tooperate a particular discharge device may be increased or decreased byswitching to a different terminal of the counter. In accordance with apreferred form of this invention, the pulses are introduced to thecounter from separate sources at different frequencies with the conveyortravel per pulse being different. This provides different degrees ofadjustment thereby increasing the ease of incorporating the system invarious installations.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates schematically a conveyor path 10having a plurality of discharge stations 12 situated on either side ofthe conveyor path. A loading station 14 is provided adjacent the path ofmovement of trays 16 which form a part of the conveyor. For purposes ofthis description, it may be assumed that the trays 16 are of the typeshown in the aforementioned patent wherein tripping means operated bysolenoids are actuated by the memory means when a tray reaches apredetermined discharge location. As will be explained, the circuitelements of this invention are designed to operate solenoids located atthe respective discharge locations 12. It will be appreciated, however,that the output of the circuits connected to the memory means could beemployed for operating other means designed to achieve a dischargingoperation.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an operator l8 stationed adjacent keyboard 20.The keyboard 20, as shown in FIG. 1, is connected to a pulse generator22. The generator 22 may be connected as shown in FIG. 1 to a sprocketor the like 24 associated with a chain or other means moving insynchronism with the conveyor trays. Any suitable means may be employedfor utilizing the mechanical output of the conveyor to generateelectrical pulses, for example by driving a notched wheel by tying thewheel to a conveyor sprocket. A proximity sensor, for example, of thetype manufactured by National Acme Company, may be positioned adjacentthe notched wheel whereby a pulse will be produced each time a notchmoves past the sensor. The frequency of the pulses for a particularnotched wheel will, therefore, depend directly on the speed of theconveyor. Different frequencies can be obtained by using differentwheels or by interposing gear reduction.

In the specific form of the invention to be described, pulses from thepulse generator 22 are fed to read output module 26 through line 28. Onepulse is produced for each 3 inches of conveyor travel.

Pulses are also fed from the generator 22 through line 30 to thedivide-by-nine divider 32. Pulses from this divider are then passedthrough line 34 at a frequency of one pulse for every 27 inches ofconveyor travel. A two-phase converter driver 36 is employed fordelivering these pulses in two phases to the read output module 26. Aswill be explained, this two-phase input to the read output module 26 isrequired where shift registers of the type requiring a two-phase clockare employed. It will be understood that the references to one-phase ortwo-phase input to the read output module are for illustration purposessince the concepts of the invention may involve the use of signals ofall one phase or of various combinations depending upon the circuitelements utilized.

The keyboard 20 operates to send signals through line 38 to the readoutput module 26. As will be explained, the code input through the line38 makes the read output module responsive to the clock pulses, and whena specified number of pulses have been introduced, a signal is thendelivered through line 40 to discharge mechanism. A read output moduleis associated with each discharge station along the conveyor path. Inthe specific arrangement to be described, 62 stations are provided. Itwill be apparent, however, that the number of these stations can bevaried considerably without departing from the concepts of theinvention.

FIG- 2 illustrates the manner in which a plurality of read outputmodules 26 are tied to a coding mechanism. In this particularillustration, the coding mechanism comprises binary code input lines 42connected to the binary to decimal converter 44. I7 converter inputlines 46 are provided for connection with the read output module codeinput lines 38. The lines 46 represent the single digits through 9, andthe double digits 00 through 60. A 2-input AND gate is provided for eachread output module 26 and, therefore, some combination of two of the 17lines 46 must be connected to each read output module. In practice, the00 line is connected to the modules for each of the stations one through9 along with the single digit. The 0 line is connected along with theappropriate double digits for the stations 10, 20, etc. For the stations11 through 19, 21 through 29 etc., the double digit is connected alongwith the appropriate single digit.

. ries of numbers on the keyboard, for example a particular zip code, ifthe apparatus is used for sorting packages in a post office. Thetranslator 48 will be programmed to determine which discharge locationis applicable for this zip code. The binary output of the translator isthen fed to the converter 44.

After the operator punches the keyboard 20, the package or other articleis moved onto the conveyor. In order to synchronize the conveyormovement with the pulse counting operation, the translator 48 preferablystores the code until a pulse is received from the 27-inch driver 36through line 50. A switch 52 is included in the line 50, and this switchmay be connected to an electric eye 54 (FIG. 6). The beam of the eyewill be interrupted by the article 56 being coded thereby maintainingthe switch 52 in the open position. When the article is then moved ontothe conveyor, the switch 52 will close, and the code will be storeduntil the next pulse is delivered through line 50. The initiation ofcode input to a particular read output module can then be preciselytimed in accordance with the position of the conveyor.

Instead of the system described, the input to the lines 46 may beprovided by a keyboard directly connected to these lines. A similartechnique for delaying transfer of the code to synchronize the pulseswith the transfer may be provided.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of tripper solenoids 62 of the type whichmay be associated with the various discharge locations along theconveyor path. The solenoids are connected to the lines 40 extendingfrom the read output module. A control switch may be provided for eachsolenoid so that any particular discharge station may be deactivated.

A read output module 26 which embodies the concepts of the invention isshown in FIG. 5. The lines 38 for this module extend to a 2-input ANDgate 66 so that the module can be made receptive to pulses only if asignal is received simultaneously in both lines 38. The flip-flop 68 isactivated when such signals are received to thereby send a pulse throughtransistor 70 and to the shift registers 72, as data in" entry.

Clock pulses are continuously fed through the 27-inch clock lines 74from the converter driver 36. The first pulse through the transistor 70makes the registers receptive to these clock pulses, and this inputcontinues until a count is completed throughout the registers 72. Thefirst pulse through the lines 74 also serves to reset the flip-flop 68but on the trailing edge of that pulse.

The shift registers 72 are all 16-bit" registers and with 10 of thesebeing provided, a total of 160 pulses are fed in before these registersare cleared. An additional 8-bit register 76 is included in the sameseries, and eight additional pulses are required to clear this register.

An 8-bit register 78 is alsoconnected to the 27-inch clock lines 74.Eight additional pulses are required for clearing this register.

The 3-inch clock line 28 is connected to the 8-bit register 80. Eightpulses are also required for clearing this register once a pulse fromthe line 28 is fed in.

The 10 16-bit registers 72 are connected, respectively, to one of theoutput terminals 80. The 8-bit register 76 is connected to terminals 80.The 8-bit registers 78 and 80 are provided with 8 selectable outputterminals 84 and 86, respectively.

As shown at the far right of FIG. 5, the line 40 which extends to thetripper solenoid is connected through transistors 88 and 90 to the line92. When a signal is generated by the read output module, this signal issent through line 92 for energizing the attached solenoid 40. Theparticular time that a signal is sent through the line 92 will dependupon which of the terminals for the shift registers are connected tothis line. The terminals to be connected depend upon the distancebetween a particular discharge station and the loading station for theconveyor. FIG. 4 comprises a table which illustrates how particularterminals are selected for particular discharge points.

The first discharge point in the assembly is located 19 feet 3 inchesaway from the induction or loading station. Since the conveyor will move27-inch clock, the input for each pulse delivered from the 27-inchclock, the input from this clock is connected to the input 94 for the8-bit register 78. This is accomplished by connecting the 0 line 96 fromthe transistor 70 directly to the input 94.

As indicated in column 3 of the table in FIG. 4, the 08 terminal of theregister 78 is employed. Eight pulses must be introduced before there isan output signal at this terminal. During this period, the conveyor willtravel 18 feet.

The output signal from the 08 terminal is then applied to the input line98 for the register 80. This input line extends to diode 100 which formsan AND gate with the diode I02. Accordingly, the combination of signalsfrom the 27-inch clock input, the input line 98, and the 3-inch clock 28will activate the register 80. As indicated in column 6 of the table inFIG. 4, the 05 terminal of the register 80 is employed. When five 3-inch pulses have been introduced, the conveyor will have moved anadditional inches to provide the desired 19 feet 3 inches of travel. Theoutput signal from the 05 terminal of the register 80 is applied to thedriver line 92 so that the solenoid will operate at this point.

The output modules 26 for the other discharge locations are connectionin a similar fashion depending upon their distance from the inductionpoint. In the case of the 062 discharge point, a distance of 382 feet 10inches must be traveled before discharge takes place. To accomplishthis, each of the 16-bit registers 72 is utilized by employing the 0160output line 80. 160 pulses are required before a signal is applied tothis line during which time the conveyor will have moved 360 feet. Theoutput from the 0160 terminal is applied to the 8-bit register 76 toachieve an additional 18 feet of travel. The output from this 8-bitregister is then applied to the input line 94 of the register 78 and asignal is then taken off the 02 terminal of this register to provide anadditional 4 feet 6 inches of travel. This signal is then applied to theinput of the register 80 through line 98 and a signal is taken from the01 output of this register and applied to the driver line 92. Thisadditional 3 inches pro vides a total travel of 382 feet 9 inches. ltwill be observed that the system described, by employing increments of 3inches for fine adjustment, will never be more than about 1% inches awayfrom a discharge point which is calculated to be the ideal dischargepoint for a particular operation.

The ability to select a particular terminal arrangement for each outputmodule 26 permits the installation of a conveyor system which does notdepend uponthe location of discharge points in a particular pattern.Thus, the system described can easily accommodate a conveyor systemwhich has discharge points located in completely random fashion.Obviously, the

reference to 27-inch and 2-inch increments is provided only for purposesof illustration since any relationship between the pulses and conveyortravel may be selected, including a system having more than twoincrements. As in the described case, however, the number of smallerincrement terminals should be sufiicient to permit selection ofdischarge positions throughout the range of a largerincrement.

in addition to permitting random location of discharge points, thememory system easily accommodates changes in discharge points. If it isfound desirable to move a station a few feet or to adjust the positionof the tripper operation, this can be accomplished by simply changingthe terminal connections. Preferably each of the modules 26 is mountedin a single housing, and they can be made easily plify such procedures.

Solid state components are available for use whereby maintenanceproblems and adjustments, are virtually eliminated. The entire systemcan also be placed in a very compact housing and located in a remoteposition relative to the conveyor.

In the event of a malfunctionat one discharge location, the

accessible to greatly simremaining portions of the system arecompletelyunaffected.

The plug-in module for the particular location can be disconnected andmaintenance work carried on without in any way disrupting the operatingcapabilities of the other discharge systems.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madein the above-described system which provide the characteristics of thisinvention without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

l. in a sorting system wherein a plurality of spaced-apart articlecarrying means are associated with a conveyor, a loading station fordepositing articles on the article carrying means, a plurality ofdischarge locations positioned along the path of conveyor movement,discharge means at said locations and memory means including means forreceiving a code as an article is deposited on the conveyor, the memorymeans initiating automatic operation of discharge means for saidarticles when the articles reach a discharge location related to thecode, the improvement wherein said memory means comprises an electroniccounter associated with each of said discharge locations, a plurality ofterminal means for each of said counters, pulse generating meansconnected to said electronic counters, said counters operating todeliver signals to said terminal means in sequence depending upon thenumber of pulses counted, means for connecting selected terminal meansto said discharge means, coding means connected to each of saidelectronic ,counters and means for making the individual countersreceptive to pulses from said pulse generating means depending upon thecode applied by said coding means, said electronic counters initiatingoperation of an associated discharge means when the pulses introducedare suf ficient to deliver a signal to the terrniinal means connected tothe associated discharge means.

2. A system in accordance with claim I wherein the pulse frequency isdirectly related to the speed of the conveyor whereby a specificdistance of conveyor travel occurs for each pulse introduced into acounter.

3. A system in accordance'with claim 2 wherein separate pulse sourcesare provided, the frequency of one source being such that asubstantially greater distance of conveyor travel occurs per pulse thanis the case with the other source.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein a plurality of separateterminals are provided for counters connected to each pulse sourcewhereby multiples of a greater distance and multiples of a shorterdistance may be combined for each discharge location.

5. A system in accordance with claim 3 including means for delaying theinput of pulses from said other source until after all pulses from saidone source have been counted by associated counters.

6. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said counters compriseshift registers connected for operation in series, a portion of saidregisters having a single output terminal whereby a plurality of pulsesare required for developing one output signal, and a portion of saidregisters having a plurality of output terminals whereby an outputsignal is available for each pulse introduced to said last-mentionedregisters.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the shift registershaving a single output terminal receive pulses at a frequency allowingthe greater distance of conveyor travel, and wherein the shift registershaving a plurality of output terminals receive pulses at a frequencyallowing both a greater and lesser distance of conveyor travel.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for making thecounters responsive to pulses from said pulse generating means include asignal transmitted from said coding means, and including means forsynchronizing the input of said signal from said coding means with apulse from said pulse generating means.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 including means for storing acode immediately after operation of said coding means, said storingmeans operating to release said code to said counters upon introductionof a pulse from said pulse generating means into said storing means tothereby synchronize release of said code with a pulse from the pulsegenerating means. I

10. A system'in accordance with claim 9 wherein articles are depositedon the conveyor adjacent a coding station, means for sensing thepresence of an article being coded at the coding station, and whereinsaid storing means operates to delay release of said code to saidcounters until the article coded is moved away from said sensing meansand onto the conveyor.

1. In a sorting system wherein a plurality of spaced-apart articlecarrying means are associated with a conveyor, a loading station fordepositing articles on the article carrying means, a plurality ofdischarge locations positioned along the path of conveyor movement,discharge means at said locations and memory means including means forreceiving a code as an article is deposited on the conveyor, the memorymeans initiating automatic operation of discharge means for saidarticles when the articles reach a discharge location related to thecode, the improvement wherein said memory means comprises an electroniccounter associated with each of said discharge locations, a plurality ofterminal means for each of said counters, pulse generating meansconnected to said electronic counters, said counters operating todeliver signals to said terminal means in sequence depending upon thenumber of pulses counted, means for connecting selected terminal meansto said discharge means, coding means connected to each of saidelectronic counters and means for making the individual countersreceptive to pulses from said pulse generating means depending upon thecode applied by said coding means, said electronic counters initiatingoperation of an associated discharge means when the pulses introducedare sufficient to deliver a signal to the terminal means connected tothe associated discharge means.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1wherein the pulse frequency is directly related to the speed of theconveyor whereby a specific distance of conveyor travel occurs for eachpulse introduced into a counter.
 3. A system in accordance with claim 2wherein separate pulse sources are Provided, the frequency of one sourcebeing such that a substantially greater distance of conveyor traveloccurs per pulse than is the case with the other source.
 4. A system inaccordance with claim 3 wherein a plurality of separate terminals areprovided for counters connected to each pulse source whereby multiplesof a greater distance and multiples of a shorter distance may becombined for each discharge location.
 5. A system in accordance withclaim 3 including means for delaying the input of pulses from said othersource until after all pulses from said one source have been counted byassociated counters.
 6. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidcounters comprise shift registers connected for operation in series, aportion of said registers having a single output terminal whereby aplurality of pulses are required for developing one output signal, and aportion of said registers having a plurality of output terminals wherebyan output signal is available for each pulse introduced to saidlast-mentioned registers.
 7. A system in accordance with claim 6 whereinthe shift registers having a single output terminal receive pulses at afrequency allowing the greater distance of conveyor travel, and whereinthe shift registers having a plurality of output terminals receivepulses at a frequency allowing both a greater and lesser distance ofconveyor travel.
 8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein themeans for making the counters responsive to pulses from said pulsegenerating means include a signal transmitted from said coding means,and including means for synchronizing the input of said signal from saidcoding means with a pulse from said pulse generating means.
 9. A systemin accordance with claim 8 including means for storing a codeimmediately after operation of said coding means, said storing meansoperating to release said code to said counters upon introduction of apulse from said pulse generating means into said storing means tothereby synchronize release of said code with a pulse from the pulsegenerating means.
 10. A system in accordance with claim 9 whereinarticles are deposited on the conveyor adjacent a coding station, meansfor sensing the presence of an article being coded at the codingstation, and wherein said storing means operates to delay release ofsaid code to said counters until the article coded is moved away fromsaid sensing means and onto the conveyor.